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A Fine Old Micronesian Ceremonial Food Bowl Chuuk Island Federated States of Micronesia

A Superb Antique Micronesian Food Bowl Palau Island Federated States of Micronesia 19th Century 

Micronesian Art is highly refined with minimalist forms or great beauty as this finely carved bowl is made from a single piece of hardwood.  Of elegant elongated slender form with mother-of-pearl shell inlay on both handles, if you look at the bowl vertically at either end you can see the way the three pieces of mother-of-pearl shell inlay are set to look like eyes & a mouth making a face similar to some of the Micronesian carved squatting figures faces.

This type of fine bowl was used in bridal dowry where families exchanged fine bowls and woven mats. Finely made ceremonial bowls were only used for special feasts such as for weddings.

Palau is part of the Federated States of Micronesia.

Micronesia can be divided into two art style areas. Western Micronesia consists of the island groups in the western Caroline archipelago, including Palau and the states of Yap and Truk (Chuuk). Eastern Micronesia includes the eastern Caroline Islands, the Marshall Islands, and Kiribati.

Throughout Micronesia, forms are exceedingly basic; decorative detail is largely geometric, consisting of bands of solid colour and rows of triangles in various patterns. Zoomorphic and anthropomorphic are relatively rare and are often expressed as silhouettes. The most frequent use of even this amount of decoration is found in the western Carolines, diminishing to none in eastern Micronesia

Provenance:  Old Collection /  The Todd Barlin Collection of Micronesian Art & Oceanic Art

I first went to Papua New Guinea in 1985 for an adventure & what I found was that I really enjoyed being with the people of New Guinea, over the next 38 years I spent extensive time spent collecting and documenting traditional art & ceremonies in remote areas of Papua New Guinea & West Papua, The Solomon Islands & Vanuatu & the other Pacific Islands countries. During these travels, I made major collections of New Guinea & Oceanic Art for major Museums and Public Art Galleries

I was honoured by being in the prestigious Louvre Museum Magazine for the collections I made for The Museum of African & Oceanic Art Paris in1996 (now the Musee Quai Branly) for the exhibition “Asmat et Mimika d’ Irian Jaya April 1996 At THE MUSEE NATIONAL des ARTS D’AFRIQUE et d’ OCEANIE, Paris

See all of the links & photos in my new EXHIBITIONS GALLERY and there is the link to the article in the prestigious Louvre Magazine 1996

I have artwork for Museums & Art Galleries but also for collectors at every stage of their collecting. I want to encourage people to explore the fine art of New Guinea & West Papua and the Pacific Islands and to be able to see and touch the artworks in a relaxed and friendly manner in my Sydney Gallery.  I would like to invite you to visit my gallery and see the artworks in person and also look at my website www.oceanicartsaustralia.com  where there are many Galleries & Sub Galleries to explore.

My Gallery of nearly 40 years is the last physical gallery in Sydney that specialises in New Guinea & Oceanic Art. Sydney is just a couple hours’ flight to New Guinea & the Pacific Islands where all of these amazing artworks came from, Australia’s closest neighbours.

INQUIRE HERE

If you have a similar “object” for sale please contact me for the best price and honest advice by a Government approved valuer 

To see many more rare items and the finest masterpieces, please make an appointment with us to visit the gallery.

For all inquiries, please contact us.

 

A Pair of Fine Old Micronesian Mortlock Island Tapuana Masks Federated States of Micronesia

A Pair of Fine Old Micronesian Mortlock Island Tapuana Masks Federated States of Micronesia

This pair of finely carved & painted masks are from the Mortlock Islands in Micronesia. The masks are called Tapuana in the local language and they represented important male and female ancestors.

The masks were used as ornaments in the ceremonial house and the ceremonial house was the location of performances by members of a secret society, in which the god of wind was appeased to protect the breadfruit crops from hurricanes and storms.

The Mortlock Islands are three small atolls in the state of Chuk part of the Federated States of Micronesia.  The Japanese were the Colonial ruler in Micronesia from 1914 – 1945.  These masks are definitely from the Japanese Colonial era they have Japanese characters written on the back of one of the masks.

Provenance:  The Todd Barlin Collection of New Guinea & Micronesian Oceanic Art

I first went to Papua New Guinea in 1985 for an adventure & what I found was that I really enjoyed being with the people of New Guinea, over the next 38 years I spent extensive time spent collecting and documenting traditional art & ceremonies in remote areas of Papua New Guinea & West Papua, The Solomon Islands & Vanuatu & the other Pacific Islands countries. During these travels, I made major collections of New Guinea & Oceanic Art for major Museums and Public Art Galleries

I was honoured by being in the prestigious Louvre Museum Magazine for the collections I made for The Museum of African & Oceanic Art Paris in1996 (now the Musee Quai Branly) for the exhibition “Asmat et Mimika d’ Irian Jaya April 1996 At THE MUSEE NATIONAL des ARTS D’AFRIQUE et d’ OCEANIE, Paris

See all of the links & photos in my new EXHIBITIONS GALLERY and there is the link to the article in the prestigious Louvre Magazine 1996

I have artwork for Museums & Art Galleries but also for collectors at every stage of their collecting. I want to encourage people to explore the fine art of New Guinea & West Papua and the Pacific Islands and to be able to see and touch the artworks in a relaxed and friendly manner in my Sydney Gallery.  I would like to invite you to visit my gallery and see the artworks in person and also look at my website www.oceanicartsaustralia.com  where there are many Galleries & Sub Galleries to explore.

My Gallery of nearly 40 years is the last physical gallery in Sydney that specialises in New Guinea & Oceanic Art. Sydney is just a couple hours’ flight to New Guinea & the Pacific Islands where all of these amazing artworks came from, Australia’s closest neighbours. 

INQUIRE HERE

If you have a similar “object” for sale please contact me for the best price and honest advice by a Government approved valuer 

To see many more rare items and the finest masterpieces, please make an appointment with us to visit the gallery.

For all inquiries, please contact us.

 

 

Three Fine Old New Guinea Asmat Ancestor Figures West Papua Irian Jaya Indonesia

Three Fine Old New Guinea Asmat Ancestor Figures West Papua Irian Jaya Indonesia

These Three Early Asmat Ancestor Figures Kawe are from the Coastal Asmat Area on the South Coast of West Papua Irian Jaya Indonesia.  All three of these sculptures are from different important Australian Collections.  In the 1980’s I spent a lot of time with the Asmat People in their villages probably about 3 years.  I would usually go for 2-3 months at a time and I traveled to almost every remote village in all of the Asmat areas and districts.  There were many villages where I stayed multiple times & had a very close relationship with families that took me into their home.  I  had so many happy experiences staying with the Asmat people, they were kind, generous, and funny and it felt like home for me.  There were some unpleasant times of having Malaria & Dengue Fever, Skin infections ect but I never felt anything except grateful for those amazing experiences.

The Asmat have a very special relationship with the forest & trees where they live. The main Asmat creation myth is about the creator Fumeripitjs who was lonely so he carved figures from wood and then he made a drum when he played the drum the carved wood figures slowly came to life and that is how the first Asmat people were created.

Provenance:  The Todd Barlin Collection of  New Guinea Oceanic Art  

I first went to Papua New Guinea in 1985 for an adventure & what I found was that I really enjoyed being with the people of New Guinea, over the next 38 years I spent extensive time spent collecting and documenting traditional art & ceremonies in remote areas of Papua New Guinea & West Papua, The Solomon Islands & Vanuatu & the other Pacific Islands countries. During these travels, I made major collections of New Guinea & Oceanic Art for major Museums and Public Art Galleries

I was honoured by being in the prestigious Louvre Museum Magazine for the collections I made for The Museum of African & Oceanic Art Paris in1996 (now the Musee Quai Branly) for the exhibition “Asmat et Mimika d’ Irian Jaya April 1996 At THE MUSEE NATIONAL des ARTS D’AFRIQUE et d’ OCEANIE, Paris

See all of the links & photos in my new EXHIBITIONS GALLERY and there is the link to the article in the prestigious Louvre Magazine 1996

I have artwork for Museums & Art Galleries but also for collectors at every stage of their collecting. I want to encourage people to explore the fine art of New Guinea & West Papua and the Pacific Islands and to be able to see and touch the artworks in a relaxed and friendly manner in my Sydney Gallery.  I would like to invite you to visit my gallery and see the artworks in person and also look at my website www.oceanicartsaustralia.com  where there are many Galleries & Sub Galleries to explore.

My Gallery of nearly 40 years is the last physical gallery in Sydney that specialises in New Guinea & Oceanic Art. Sydney is just a couple hours’ flight to New Guinea & the Pacific Islands where all of these amazing artworks came from, Australia’s closest neighbours. 

INQUIRE HERE

If you have a similar “object” for sale please contact me for the best price and honest advice by a Government approved valuer 

To see many more rare items and the finest masterpieces, please make an appointment with us to visit the gallery.

For all inquiries, please contact us.

 

A Fine Old Eastern Pende Mask Pende People Democratic Republic of Congo Africa

A Fine Old Eastern Pende Mask, Pende People Democratic Republic of Congo Africa

This expressive Mask is from the Eastern Pende People in the Democratic Republic of the Congo Africa. This type of mask called ‘Giphogo’ are among the symbols of power used by chiefs of the Eastern Pende. Only chiefs are allowed to dance with this type of mask on the occasion of initiations and rituals of the ancestor cult of the Eastern Pende.

The most important Pende masks were those used in initiation ceremonies for the circumcision of young boys. That is the case for this Giphogo (Kipoko) type of mask, In the Gatundu region, famous for its artists’ workshops, these masks represent a beneficial force in case of illness

Masks are the dominant form of Pende sculptural work and are used in masquerades where artists, musicians, and dancers perform their accomplished arts. The look and character of a mask is conceptualized by male dancers who perform it. The dancer creates the mask only after he has choreographed a dance for it, written a song for it, and selected the necessary dance costumes and props to accompany it. When these things have been accomplished the dancer collaborates with a drummer to come up with the lead rhythm for the mask’s dance. Finally, if the mask is new in concept or character a master sculptor will be consulted to expertly reflect the nature of the being.

The Pende people have many different kinds of masks they wear, especially at adult initiation rituals and funerals. The word giphogo (or kipoko) means “sword wielder” and is a symbol of power among the Eastern Pende. The mask is kept in the chief’s home, and only chiefs are allowed to authorize dance with this type of mask on the occasion of initiations and rituals of the ancestor cult of the Eastern Pende. It represents the village chief as an intermediary between the living and the dead, and its uses include protection from evil spirits; prayers or thanks for successful harvests tribal fertility; identifying and punishing sorcerers; and adult initiation during mukanda rituals. The dance is called Lukongo among the Eastern Pende.  The masquerade carries one or two flywhisks made of animal hair, which are used to mimic agricultural work or to purify the village grounds.  As the kipoko dances, he mimics the daily tasks of village women, meanwhile flicking the ground with the whisks and making semicircular kicks to protect the village against evil spirits or sorcerers, to purify disease and sterility, and to quiet discord. Every Eastern Pende boy must learn the Lukongo dance to be initiated into the men’s secret society

I have collected a few antique African Sculptures based solely on their forms, Mumuye &  & Yaka / Suku / Pende Sculptures from the Congo.  I wanted to see what they looked like next to sculptures from Papua New Guinea & they look amazing together.

Provenance: The Todd Barlin Collection of Oceanic & African Art

See more Fine Tribal Folk Art in Tribal and Folk Art Gallery

See my new EXHIBITIONS GALLERY  showing the Museums and Art Galleries Exhibitions that I provided artworks for over the past 40 years. There is the link to the article about my artworks published in the prestigious Louvre Magazine in 1996

I have artwork for Museums and art Galleries but also for collectors at every stage of their collecting. I want to encourage people to explore the fine art of New Guinea & West Papua and the Pacific Islands and to be able to see and touch the artworks in a relaxed and friendly manner in my Sydney Gallery. I would like to invite you to visit my gallery and see the artworks in person and also look at my website www.oceanicartsaustralia.com where there are many Galleries & Sub Galleries to explore.

My Gallery of nearly 40 years is the last physical gallery in Sydney that specializes in New Guinea and Oceanic Art.  Sydney is very close to New Guinea & the Pacific Islands where all of these amazing artworks came from, Australia’s closest neighbors.

INQUIRE HERE

If you have a similar “object” for sale please contact me for the best price and honest advice by a Government approved valuer 

To see many more rare items and the finest masterpieces, please make an appointment with us to visit the gallery.

For all inquiries, please contact us 

I

A Fine Old Japanese Natural Form Burl Wood Stand Called Kadai

A Fine Old Japanese Natural Form Burl Wood Stand Called Kadai

This beautiful and mysterious object is a root-wood stand from Japan called Kadai.  Its form can be what you see in it as when people are viewing clouds in the sky and each seeing something different.  It may have been used as a small stand to have set something on it like a vase with flowers.   It was likely made in the late 19th Century.  This artwork has been in my home for many years and it still delights the eye to see it each day as if seeing it for the first time.  Sometimes it looks like two figures dancing but no matter what side you look at there is always something new in the form.

The Japanese aesthetic of using natural forms in wood with minimal additions by the artist are some of the most beautiful objects in my collection.

A Kadai can be used in Tea Ceremonies and the form can be referred to as  Wabi-Sabi

In Zen philosophy there are seven aesthetic principles for achieving Wabi-Sabi as listed below;

Fukinsei (不均斉): asymmetry, irregularity;

Kanso (簡素): simplicity;

Koko (考古): basic, weathered;

Shizen (自然): without pretense, natural;

Yugen (幽玄): subtly profound grace, not obvious;

Datsuzoku (脱俗): unbounded by convention, free;

Provenance: The Todd Barlin Collection of Japanese Art & Objects & Asian Art & Objects.  Please look at my collection of Japanese Inro & Smoking Pouches & other Japanese art objects on my website.

INQUIRE HERE

If you have a similar “object” for sale please contact me for the best price and honest advice by a Government approved valuer 

To see many more rare items and the finest masterpieces, please make an appointment with us to visit the gallery.

For all inquiries, please contact us.

A Superb Old Japanese Natural Form Burl Wood Okimono or Scholars Object

See more Fine Japanese Art in Japanese Art Gallery

A Superb Old Japanese Natural Form Burl Wood Okimono or Scholars Object

This beautiful and mysterious object is a root wood Okimomo from Japan. Its form can be what you see when viewing clouds in the sky and each person sees something different.  It may have once had a small stand at the top to have set something on it, I have seen these stands occasionally.  It was likely made in the late 19th Century. This artwork has been in my home for many years and it still delights the eye to see it each day as if seeing it for the first time.  Sometimes it looks like a twisting dragon but no matter what side you look at there is always something new in the form.

The Japanese aesthetic of using natural forms in wood with minimal additions by the artist are some of the most beautiful objects in my collection.

An Okimono is a carved Japanese decorative object created specifically for display,

This is a Wabi-Sabi Okimono that may have been used in tea ceremonies for Ikebana Flower Displays

In Zen philosophy there are seven aesthetic principles for achieving Wabi-Sabi as listed below;

Fukinsei (不均斉): asymmetry, irregularity;

Kanso (簡素): simplicity;

Koko (考古): basic, weathered;

Shizen (自然): without pretence, natural;

Yugen (幽玄): subtly profound grace, not obvious;

Datsuzoku (脱俗): unbounded by convention, free;

Scholar’s objects were, in a sense, the luxury goods of their time, but rather than wealth what they really represented was the physical embodiment of the scholar’s intellectual curiosity and aesthetic taste.

Provenance: The Todd Barlin Collection of Japanese Art & Objects & Asian Art & Objects. Please look at my collection of Japanese Inro & Smoking Pouches & other Japanese art objects on my website.

INQUIRE HERE

If you have a similar “object” for sale please contact me for the best price and honest advice by a Government approved valuer 

To see many more rare items and the finest masterpieces, please make an appointment with us to visit the gallery.

For all inquiries, please contact us.

A Fine Old Japanese Natural Burlwood Bird Okimono

A Fine Old Japanese Natural Burlwood Bird Okimono

This beautiful and mysterious object is a natural form of Burlwood Okimomo from Japan. It is in the form of a flying bird and was likely made in the late 19th Century to early 20th Century. This artwork has been in my home for many years and it still delights the eye to see it each day as if seeing it for the first time.  For me, it looks like a large bird just taking flight from a barren tree.  No matter what side you look at there is always something new in the form.

The Japanese aesthetic of using natural forms in wood with minimal additions by the artist is some of the most beautiful objects in my collection.

An Okimono is a carved Japanese decorative object created specifically for display,

This is a Wabi-Sabi Okimono may have been used in tea ceremonies.

In Zen philosophy there are seven aesthetic principles for achieving Wabi-Sabi as listed below;

Fukinsei (不均斉): asymmetry, irregularity;

Kanso (簡素): simplicity;

Koko (考古): basic, weathered;

Shizen (自然): without pretence, natural;

Yugen (幽玄): subtly profound grace, not obvious;

Datsuzoku (脱俗): unbounded by convention, free;

Provenance: The Todd Barlin Collection of Japanese & Asian Art.

Please look at my collection of Japanese Inro & Smoking Pouches & other Japanese art objects on my website.

INQUIRE HERE

If you have a similar “object” for sale please contact me for the best price and honest advice by a Government approved valuer 

To see many more rare items and the finest masterpieces, please make an appointment with us to visit the gallery.

For all inquiries, please contact us.

A Superb Old New Guinea Coconut Spoon Papuan Gulf Area South Coast Papua New Guinea

A Superb Old New Guinea Coconut Spoon Papuan Gulf Area, South Coast Papua New Guinea. Dating from the late 19th to early 20th Century.

This superb old Coconut Spoon is from the Elema People of Orokolo Bay the Papuan Gulf. In the form of an Imunu Spirit Figure, similar to the images on the better-known Gope Spirit Boards from the same area.

In the past, the primary focus of religious and artistic life in this region was based on powerful spirits called Imunu.  Each clan had specific imunu Spirits that were associated with a specific location in the landscape, rivers, or sea, and was linked to the specific clan.

This beautiful sculpture has always reminded me of the modernist painting by Edvard Munch ” The Scream “.  I am sure the Papuan Gulf artist had a Imunu Spirit Figure in mind but the visual impact of this simple sculpture is captivating no matter the culture or the viewer or their interpretation.

Provenance:

The Dr. Leonard Warnock Collection Sydney (1915-1999) was acquired in the 1950s

Chris & Anna Thorpe Collection Sydney

The world-famous Elizabeth Pryce Collection Sydney Australia formerly in  Sotheby’s Paris October 10, 2018, lot 130.

The Todd Barlin Collection of Oceanic Art

 

 

 

A Superb Old Japanese Tengu Figure Dated 1742 (18th Century) Japan

A Superb Old Japanese Tengu Figure Dated on the back 1742

This finely carved antique Japanese Tengu Figure dating from the 18th Century as on the back of the figure is written in Japanese Kanji 江戸期の寛保二年壬戌 (Edo Period – Kanpo Second Year) or in English 1742

Tengu is a type of legendary creature found in Japanese folk religion. They are considered a type of supernatural beings or Shinto kami (gods).  Tengu was originally thought to take the forms of birds of prey, and they are traditionally depicted with both human and avian characteristics. The earliest tengu were pictured with beaks, but this feature has often been humanized as an unnaturally long nose, which today is widely considered the Tengu’s defining characteristic in the popular imagination. They are also thought to have been influenced by the Garuda a legendary bird or bird-like Deity in Hindu, Buddhist and Jain mythology, and by Sarutahiko Ōkami, a native Shinto deity.

This Tengu is standing on a carved alter and the back of this figure has Kanji characters painted on the figure. I can’t read it but if you can I would be pleased to hear from you about what was written on the back beside the date.

Provenance: The Todd Barlin Collection of Japanese and Asian Art

INQUIRE HERE

If you have a similar “object” for sale please contact me for the best price and honest advice by a Government approved valuer 

To see many more rare items and the finest masterpieces, please make an appointment with us to visit the gallery.

For all inquiries, please contact us.

A Superb New Guinea Waskuk Ritual Pottery Head Kwoma People Upper Sepik River PNG

A Superb New Guinea Waskuk Ritual Pottery Head Kwoma People Upper Sepik River Papua New Guinea 

This Waskuk Ceremonial Pottery Head is from the Kwoma People, Upper Sepik River area, East Sepik Province of Papua New Guinea.

These Pottery Heads called Wasau were used during these Yam Harvest Ceremonies on the ceremonial platforms.  These pottery heads relate to a specific myth about an ancestor called Sopermel who carried a Wasau in his belly.

See:  The Traditional Pottery of Papua New Guinea by May & Tuckson 1982 page 218 for the full story as recorded by Christian Kauffmann.

Ritual leaders organize the Yina ceremony at yam harvest time. The next two ceremonies feature their own sculpted images of Mindja and Nokwi and must also be performed before the full harvest and consumption beings.

Older ritual objects are hidden in garden huts, away from the village. They have acquired power over time and through use. For the annual ceremony both old and new objects are freshly painted. They are firstly covered in black paint and left to dry. Only on the final day before the ceremony are the other colours; red, yellow and white added.

The ceremony takes place inside the men’s Ceremonial house (korob) A platform is built, and while one major Yina figure is displayed as a focus, other Yina’s and Wasau pottery heads are used. The pottery heads are particularly beautiful when displayed on the ceremonial platform.

Slit gong drums are played and songs of myth relating to the yam harvest are sung. At the finish of the ceremony, the cult objects are wrapped tightly in sheaths from the black palm and returned to the garden hut.

References: R May & Tuckson: The Traditional Pottery of Papua New Guinea by Bay Books Sydney 1982

Provenance: The Todd Barlin Collection of New Guinea Art

INQUIRE HERE

If you have a similar “object” for sale please contact me for the best price and honest advice by a Government approved valuer 

To see many more rare items and the finest masterpieces, please make an appointment with us to visit the gallery.

For all inquiries, please contact us.

 

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